Living Canon

Hugo Awards 1945: Complete list of winners

The 1945 Hugo Awards represent a fascinating snapshot of science fiction at a pivotal moment in the genre’s history. Named after Hugo Gernsback, the pioneering editor who launched the first science fiction magazine, the Hugo Awards have long served as fandom’s most prestigious honor, voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention. This particular year showcased an impressive array of talent that would come to define the Golden Age of sci-fi, with winners spanning everything from the literary heights of pulp magazines to the emerging medium of comic book storytelling.

What strikes readers looking back at the 1945 winners is how they capture the genre’s remarkable range. Ray Bradbury was already establishing himself as a master of the short form, while Theodore Sturgeon demonstrated the novelistic potential lurking within shorter works. Leigh Brackett brought planetary adventure to vivid life, and Clifford D. Simak crafted philosophical science fiction that would influence generations. The inclusion of both H.P. Lovecraft’s sprawling Cthulhu Mythos as Best Series and Jerry Siegel’s Superman in the graphic category reveals a science fiction community that appreciated quality across multiple formats and styles.

These winners showcase the breadth and ambition of mid-century science fiction. Here’s the complete list of 1945 Hugo Award winners:

Best Graphic Story

  • Superman : “The Mysterious Mr. Mxyztplk by Jerry Siegel

Best Novel

  • Shadow Over Mars” ( The Nemesis from Terra ) by Leigh Brackett

Best Novelette

  • Cover of City City by Clifford D. Simak

Best Novella

Best Series

Best Short Story